Hello, I have been diagnosed with osteopenia and have been advised by my doctor to take a vitamin D supplement. Does vitamin D affect my meds? I take Isentress and Truvada. I am now taking 2000 I.U of vitamin D per day. I also now take a testosterone supplement(Androgel)because my testosterone level was only 191. Do you think this caused my osteopenia? Thank you for any advice you can give.

Response from Dr. Young

Hello and thanks for your post.

Diseases of low bone mineral density (osteopenia and osteoporosis) are very common among HIV+'ers in the US and gaining attention in the medical literature-- perhaps as high as 50% of the population have low bone density.

Vitamin D deficiency is usually the result of not taking in enough dietary vitamin D or not getting any sun exposure (both of which are needed to produce the mature vitamin). D supplementation doesn't interfere with your HIV medications.

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